Kaos, Netflix’s brand-new series, brings Greek mythology to the modern screen with a fresh, reimagined twist. Designed by Charlie Covell, Kaos honors and transforms classic stories by exploring the life of gods, humans, and legendary creatures. Premiered on August 29, 2024, the show features Jeff Goldblum, Janet McTeer, and David Thewlis among others.
Combining comedy and drama, the series brings in the darker side of Greek mythology and captures the complicated interactions between gods and their impact on the human world. Set to be among Netflix's must-watch shows of the year, Kaos boasts amazing visuals and an engaging story.
The show highlights their personalities, conflicts, and power relations while centering on gods like Zeus, Hera, and Poseidon. Both new viewers and mythology buffs will find the show's artistic retelling of these old stories appealing.
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Apart from the gods, Kaos presents lesser-known characters including Prometheus, Medusa, and the Furies, entwining several narratives reflecting the turmoil and drama of the mythological universe.
From Zeus, the all-powerful king of the gods, to Medusa, the cursed Gorgon, every character in Kaos is created carefully to capture their mythological core while adding contemporary touches. The show highlights the humanity of these people through their shortcomings, relationships, and power struggles.
As Netflix presents,
"In the intriguing world of KAOS, it’s the pantheon of gods versus humans with Zeus at the top of the mythological food chain as the cruel and stylish ruler of the gods, a position he has enjoyed for some time. Then one day he discovers the unthinkable: a wrinkle on his forehead."
It also adds,
"Paranoia builds, leading the supreme deity down a dangerous and unstable path. All-powerful Zeus is convinced his fall is nigh and sees omens of doom everywhere."
Exploring Greek myths and characters in Kaos
1) Zeus
The King of the gods, Zeus, in Greek mythology, rules the sky, thunder, and lightning and is in charge of preserving law, order, and fate. Zeus, the father of gods and humans, is a strong god well-known for his authority alongside his terrible transgressions.
Jeff Goldblum plays Zeus in Netflix's Kaos with a modern spin. Using his mind, he can cause suffering; he exhibits power loss paranoia. Married to Hera and father to Dionysus, Zeus's character in the series reflects his mythological roots but is shown with extra complexity and sensitivity.
2) Hera
Hera, portrayed by Janet McTeer, is the wife of Zeus and the divine queen. Regarded as the deity of matrimony and procreation, Hera's mythological persona is frequently linked to feelings of envy and retribution. Throughout the show, Hera's contempt for humans and her intricate connection with Zeus are strongly highlighted.
3) Poseidon
Playing Poseidon, the god of the sea and Zeus's brother, is Cliff Curtis. Known in mythology for controlling the oceans and earthquakes, Poseidon's path is rather detached from the main conflict since he is shown as a carefree, luxurious person who would rather stay out of Zeus's paranoia.
4) Hades and Persephone
In Kaos, David Thewlis and Rakie Ayola bring the roles of Hades, the god of the Underworld, and Persephone, his queen, to life. Often portrayed as a somber and merciless figure, Hades is said to govern over the dead.
His relationship with Persephone is reinterpreted in the series as one of love and cooperation instead of the conventional myth whereby she is kidnapped and compelled to spend some of the year in the Underworld.
5) Prometheus
A Titan, Prometheus, portrayed by Stephen Dillane, challenges Zeus by gifting fire to mankind. As a form of retribution, he is affixed to a boulder where an eagle consumes his liver daily.
Kaos depicts Prometheus as a compassionate and sagacious character, recounting the events of the series with an equal amount of wit and pathos. The tension in the series is primarily attributable to his relationship with Zeus.
6) Medusa
Another important character in Kaos is Medusa played by Debi Mazar. Greek mythology depicts Medusa as a beautiful woman cursed by Athena to become a Gorgon, with snakes for hair and the ability to turn anyone who gazed at her to stone.
Portraying the injustice of Medusa's metamorphosis, the series reinterpreted her as a sad figure working in the Underworld.
7) Dionysus
Dionysus is the god of wine, pleasure, and madness, played by Nabhaan Rizwan. Greek mythology presents Dionysus to be the mortal son of Zeus. Kaos shows him as a lost person caught between his divine background and the earthly one. In mythology as much as the show, his character reflects the theme of chaos.
8) Ariadne and Theseus
Linked by the well-known story of the Minotaur, Ariadne, and Theseus are central characters in Greek mythology. The daughter of King Minos of Crete, Ariadne guides Theseus through the maze to kill his half-brother, the Minotaur. After aiding him, Theseus abandons Ariadne on the island of Naxos. In Greek mythology, Dionysus eventually rescues and marries Ariadne.
Leila Farzad and Daniel Lawrence Taylor play Ariadne and Theseus on Kaos respectively.
8) The Fates
Three strong sisters who rule the fate of gods and humans, the Fates—also known as the Moirai in Greek mythology—are symbolic of birth, life, and death. According to Greek mythology, it is responsible for spinning, measuring, and cutting the thread of life.
Clotho spins the thread, Lachesis gauges its length, and Atropos cuts it to ascertain the death time. The events that transpire in Kaos are mostly shaped by the Fates. Ché, Suzy Eddie Izzard, and Sam Buttery play Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos respectively on Kaos.
They are shown as manipulative beings who shape the fate of people and gods. Highlighting their authority over Zeus and the other gods in their decision-making, the series shows their control over destiny and adds contemporary subtleties to their personalities.
9) The Furies
Especially those involving murder, perjury, and offenses against the gods, the Furies—also known as the Erinyes in Greek mythology—are avengers of moral transgressions. They hunt offenders assiduously, ensuring justice. In legends, they arise from Uranus's blood when his son Cronos castrates him.
In Kaos, the Furies fulfill a similar role—exacting retribution on those who engage in immoral behavior. Presented as merciless defenders of divine justice, hunting down evildoers everywhere, Tisiphone, played by Donna Banya, Megaera, played by Natalie Klamar, and Alecto, played by Cathy Tyson, appear in the show to reflect their mythological obligation to uphold the moral order.
Kaos upgrades Greek mythology with modern themes. Zeus, Hera, and Medusa are reimagined as complex characters that resonate with modern audiences. The series shows viewers the chaos of power, love, and destiny in the mythical world through gods, humans, and otherworldly beings.
